Masala Chaas (Spiced ButterMilk) Step By Step

Name: Masala Chaas (Spiced Buttermilk)
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 5 min
Total time: 10 min
Ingredients: 2 cup thick curd; 4 cup water chilled; 1 Green chili finely chopped (optional); 2 tsp black salt; 14 mint leaves; 1/2 tsp roasted cumin seed powder; 4 tbsp coriander leaves; 1/2" Ginger

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Masala chaas or spiced buttermilk is an Indian summer drink prepared with curd, water, few spices, and herbs. It is prepared in just five minutes. Here is how to make masala chaas at home step by step.

This does not only help in digestion but also keeps you hydrated and cool in summer. I used green yogurt to make this, normally homemade plain curd is used.

Masala chaas or buttermilk is an Indian summer drink prepared with curd, water, few spices, and herbs. This does not only help in digestion but also keeps you hydrated and cool in summer. Masala chaas or buttermilk is considered to be a great summer cooler. — Masala Chaas Prepared Using Greek Yogurt

Simple chaas with no masala is prepared with only curd and water, adding some salt and cumin seed powder, churn, and simply drink it.

Curd gives a cooling effect in hot weather that is the reason it is a part of the meal in summers in India.

It is also known as buttermilk, neer mor, or namkeen lassi, masala buttermilk.

Normally black salt is used but replaces it with sendha namak (rock salt) if consuming during fasting. Buttermilk is popular in the different parts of India with some changes in terms of adding spices.

Spices and herbs which are used in other variations are asafoetida, curry leaves, fennel seeds, and black pepper. All are helping with digestion and have good health benefits.

Why you will love this recipe

Chaas is curd or yogurt-based drink with other ingredients as water, roasted cumin powder & black salt.

Every region in India prepares it with different ingredients but the basic four are always same.

Masala chaas(spiced buttermilk) is just a spiced version of normal chaas recipe where we add green chilies, few mint leaves, and green coriander along with diluted curd.

Chaas is flavored with mint, coriander, grated ginger, and spice up with green chilies. You can add asafoetida, or tadka(tempering with curry leaves) or black pepper too.

A close up click of prepared masala chaas

Health Benefits

Yogurt or curd is a probiotic drink with good bacteria. Here are many health benefits of drinking chaas.

Consuming chaas everyday helps in solving any digestive issue. The good bacteria in curd not only build immunity but also go easy on the stomach.
It is considered as one of the electrolyte drink which hydrates the body against the heat in summer.
It works great in case of loss of water in the body.
A must drink after a heavy spicy meal.
Adding herbs have their own properties which enhance the goodness.

Ingredients

This is the ingredient list you would need to make masala chaas at home.

Please check RECIPE CARD for detailed ingredients list with accurate measurement.

Yogurt or Curd- Homemade curd is the base to make chaas recipe. Make sure curd is not very sour while making buttermilk. I am using greek yogurt to make this masala chaas.
Flavors- Mint leaves, green coriander, grated ginger gives the refreshing taste. These are must to make spiced buttermilk. Do not skip these.
Spices- Green chilies, black salt, roasted ground cumin. Do not forget to add cumin powder, it enhances the taste.
Other ingredients- Water

How to make masala chaas

You can make it in two ways, with a blender or without a blender. I am sharing how to make masala chaas at home with both the methods, step by step.

Using Blender

Step-1 Add all ingredients in a blender jar

Adding all ingredients in the blender jar.

Take all the ingredients in a blender.

Step-2 Blend well

Blend it for a few pulses till all ingredients mix together.

Step-3 Serve chilled

Buttermilk is poured down in a glass from the pitcher

Serve with ice cubes. Garnish with chopped coriander and mint leaves.

Without Blender

Whisk the yogurt with water till smooth consistency.
Add all the ingredients. Mix well.
Serve chilled

Serving suggestions

Buttermilk or chaas is one of the drink to serve chilled anytime during the day. It compliments the meal served.

Best served with palak paneer, sarson ka saag, aloo gobhi gravy, aloo matar, aloo paratha, mooli paratha, peas paratha.

You can check all the collection of Indian Parathas.

Storing suggestions

Spiced buttermilk or masala chaas can be stored for 5-7 days in the refrigerator. You can make it ahead and can store it in the fridge.

Variations

There are many variations to chaas masala, while making a simple chaas recipe.

Pudina (Mint) Chaas- Grinding mint leaves with curd, water, cumin powder, green chilies, ginger & salt will give you a refreshing drink with mint flavors.
Plain chaas- Just blend it curd, water, roasted cumin powder & salt to have this quick chaas.
Beetroot Chaas- Beetroot gives a nice pink color & added health benefits. After steaming beetroot you can use some to make beetroot chaas.

spiced buttermilk served in three glasses and kept on a wooden board

Tips & FAQ's

You can add more water if want diluted or can reduce for a thicker version. This completely depends on the curd quality if it is watery then less water required.
Adjust chili as per your taste. With kids, I usually skip this.
This buttermilk drink can be prepared in advance as well and consume within a day.
If you require to store for more days then don't add herbs while making it. Herbs lose their flavor if stored for longer and give a bitter taste especially mint leaves.

What is masala chaas?

Masala Chaas is the simple chaas recipe which is flavored with mint, green coriander, grated ginger, green chilies along with basic ingredients like water, black salt, & roasted cumin powder.

Is chaas & buttermilk same?

In Indian chaas buttermilk terms are used interchangeably. In english "Chaas" is called as "Buttermilk".

Technically chaas is the leftover liquid after butter is churned out of cream. In old days, this liquid was served by adding salt & cumin powder with the meal and known as chaas. It was a great probiotic drink for digestive system.

Now we do not consume this leftover liquid, rather make chaas using homemade curd, water, salt & cumin powder.

What is the difference between chaas & lassi?

Both lassi & chaas are Yogurt based drink.

Chaas is a salty, spicy & thin consistency drink. It has a little sour taste. While lassi is thick, sweet, & creamy drink which is served with dry fruits & cardamom.

You may like some more summer drinks

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